Cleveland Browns Draft Overview and Team’s 1st Round Picks Interview
By Ryan Rosko
The 2015 NFL Draft is history. The Cleveland Browns draft filled key needs but some may still question why the organization did not go after offensive players earlier and/or more often. I would include myself in that category to some extent.
I strongly preferred a QB drafted somewhere during the draft since there is no certainty at the position as well. However, I am pleased with Ray Farmer‘s plan as how he went about drafting players. Selecting DL Danny Shelton (Washington), OL Cameron Erving (Florida St), LB/DE Nate Orchard (Utah), and RB Duke Johnson (Miami(FL)) within the first three rounds were smart, added depth, filled needs, and improved the overall roster. It was needed to get more guys along both sides of the ball especially to help stop the run.
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Cleveland very much seems to be content with the QB’s on the roster, so the starter is going to be Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel. I am very intrigued by how the Browns use their offensive draft picks most notably Johnson and WR Vince Mayle, a 4th Round pick from Washington State.
Two solid mid – late round picks, both CB’s, Charles Gaines (Louisville) and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Oregon) are going to surprise people. Given the talent already at the position, it will be interesting to see how the depth chart plays out. Ekpre-Olomu should be the steal of the whole draft once he gets healthy.
The Browns team now with an even better defense and improvements on offense can repeat their record from last year but should be better. With another year in Mike Pettine’s system, Cleveland has the potential to have a winning season. One bad year should not scar Josh McCown’s reputation regardless if he is only going to be a Brown for a short time. McCown can repeat his success in Cleveland. Understandably, he had a more complete offense elsewhere, most recently Chicago, but the Browns are not too far away and there are noticeable differences.
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The team and many of Cleveland’s fans are very pleased and excited with the drafted class. In fact, the excitement in joining the Browns was expressed by Shelton and Erving shortly after being drafted with FanSided as well! Here is Shelton’s interview and here’s Erving’s.
We all have hopes that all the players will be regular contributors. That is not going to happen. If I had to choose someone who would make the biggest impact for the team this upcoming season, my choice would be Danny Shelton. Though RB Duke Johnson could have been the choice as well. He is a great pass catcher and should be used in many ways as he is a jack of all trades.
I am not big on grades but with a complete draft class in the books, I cannot argue that the team improved a good amount on both sides of the ball. No one is going to want to face the team’s defense and the offense is progressing nicely.
What grade would you give the team’s draft picks? Who was your favorite draft pick?